Attachment for musical instruments



y 1930. H. H. MORETON 1,770,004

ATTACHMENT FOR MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS Filed Feb. 4, 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet. 1

76612. 1 9 0IM;6IZ0 1,! Kg] July 8, 1930. H. H. MORETON 1,770,004

ATTACHMENT FOR MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS Filed Feb. 4, 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 40 J7 4' ZZZ Patented July 8, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ATTACHMENT FOR MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS Application filed February This invention is an attachment for use in playing harmonicas or the like.

It is well known that to secure the best results in the playing of a harmonica or the like, the instrument must be placed between the teeth of the performer, and the tongue manipulated to cover or uncover the holes containing the reeds, while the instrument is being reciprocated. Thus it is apparent that considerable practice is required before one can acquire the necessary skill for reasonably eflective performance.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide a device which will aid the player in performing upon a harmonica or mouth organ,

said device being so constructed as to overcome the high skill requirements heretofore necessary for the playing of such instruments. A further object is to provide an attachment for a harmonica by means of which single notes or chords may be played as desired without necessitating .the use of the tongue. A further object is to provide a device for holding the instrument in such a way that it may be moved back and forth at will, as is customary in the normal playing of the same, but avoiding the necessity of bringing it into rubbing contact wtih the lips, or teeth, or tongue of the player.

The invention will be hereinafter fully set forth and particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawing Figure 1 is a plan view illustrating a harmonica attachment constructed in accordance with the invention. Figure 2 is a front view showing the mouth piece portion in section. Figure 3 is a transverse sectional view on the line 33, Figure 1. Figure 4 is a transverse sectional view illustrating a slight modification. Figure 5 is a plan view and Figure 6 a transverse sectional view illustrating a second modification. Figure 7 is a plan view of another modification, parts being shown in section. Figures 8 and 9 are plan views partly in section illustrating other modifications.

Referring to Figures 1, 2 and 3 of the drawing, 10 designates a harmonica of standard type, provided with the usual openings 11,

4, 1926. Serial No. 85,978.

containing the reeds which are not shown. The harmonica is conventionally illustrated and may be in any of the forms now in common use.

The harmonica is slidably mounted between the flanges 12 of a casing 13, which is provided at the right hand end with an L-shaped projection 14, forming a stop. Said casing is provided with a front wall 15 which normally closes the openings 11 of the harmonica, said wall being provided with cut away portions 16 of a size to uncover a predetermined number of said openings, preferably three. A casing 17, forming an air chamber or a mouth piece is attached to the casing 13 in a manner to enclose the openings or cut away portions 16, said mouth piece having an air inlet opening 18 as shown.

Slidably mounted in the air chamber 15, and positioned to cover the openings 11 of the harmonica, is a valve 19, connected to an operating rod 20 which is guided by one end wall of the casing 17 and by a projecting wall 21 on the front wall 15. A guide pin 22 is also connected to the valve, and extends through the other end wall of the air casing or mouth piece 17. The valve 19 is provided with an opening 20 of such dimensions as to uncover more or less of the openings or cut away portions 16, when the valve is in register therewith, but said valve is normally retained in such a position by a spring 23, as to normally close at least one of said cut away portions 16, so that the player blowing through the mouth piece will only operate the reeds in two of the openings 11 of the harmonica. The valve 19 is manipulated by a. finger of the player who moves the rod 20 longitudinally, a suitable knob 24 being provided for that purpose.

' In operation, the player blows through the opening 18 of the mouth piece 17 while holding the device with the right hand, the thumb being pressed against the guide 21, and the forefinger engaging the knob 24. The harmonica is free to be moved to the right and left by the left hand of the player by a sliding movement, the tones emitted, of course, varying with the position of the harmonica and the particular keys which are brought into register with the cut out portions 16. If itis desired to produce chords, the valve 19 is moved to "he left so as to uncover the additional o ieaing '1 necessary to produce this effect. It \vi l he noted that the casing 13 mains normally oionary, while the harmonica is being moved back and forth, so that there is no rubbing of the lips or tongue, and yet the same effects are obtained as to the number of reeds operated, as by the use of the tongue. manipulating the valve 19 the harmony results are obtained at will. Itwill be noted that the flanges 12 of the body 13 lit the harmonica 10 with suilicient close- .1 ness to prevent escape or leaking of air except through the holes 11.

In Figure & a modification is shown by means of which the device is rendered more air tight and excessive air leakage is avoided.

- In this form flanges 25 are secured to the harmonica, and are engaged by int-urned guide portions 26 of the casing 13 If desired eather strips 2? may be employed to aid in the prevention of excessive leakage.

In the form of the invention illustrated in Figures 5 and 6 the harmonica 10 is slidably mounted in a closed casing 13 which is provided with a mouth piece 17*"-, positioned to regis er with certain of the openings 11 of the harmonica. The slide valve 19 is mounted to reciprocate across the cut out portions 16, said valve being connected with an actuator member 20, guided by means of a loop 21, and normally held in a retracted posi tion by a spring 23 bearing against the closed end of the casing. Movement of the slide end is limited by means of a stop 28. The operation of this device is practically identical with that of the device illustrated in Figures 1, 2 and 3.

In Figures 6 and 7 is illustrated a modification of a device designed to be applied to a harmonica of the double type, and so arranged that eithe group of reeds may be opcrated. Refer to said figures the harmonica 10" is slidably mounted in a casing 3. which is provided on its edges with two conduits and respectively, which extend around one end of the casing 13*, and are provided with inlet openings 31 and 31, re spectively. A partition 32 is positioned between said openings 31 and 31 so as to prevent intercommuni:ation of the conduits. Said openings 31, 3T are controlled by a valve 33, slidably mounted in an air chamber 3%, which encloses said openings, said valve being attached to a rod 35, provided with knobs 36. by means of which it may be manipulated. The chamber 3% is provided with an inlet opening surrounded by a flange 37, said flange being engaged by a mouth piece 38. Each. conduit is provided with cut out portions 4E0 registering with'the openings in the harmonica, and the openings 40 are normally closed by valves ell, mounted on levers which are pivotally supported at 42, and controlled by spring pressed plungers 43. The spring tension on the plunger-s is such as to normally maintain the valves 41 in sealed position.

In operation, the slide valve 33 is positioned to cover either opening 31 or 31*, as may be desired, whereupon the player blows through the mouth piece 38, and slides the harmonica 10 back and forth in the casing 13. The air will enter from the mouth piece into the particular conduit which is in communication therewith, and from the conduit through the openings 39, into the openings of the harmonica. The chords are produced by depressing the plunger 43 and uncovering the openings 40.

Referring to Figure 8 of the drawing, the harmonica 1O is slidably enclosed within a {sing 50, which is provided with a slot 51, through which projects a knob 5:2, secured to the harmonica. Said knob serves as a means for sliding the harmonica within the casing.

Extending along one side of the casing is an air channel 53, closed at one end, and communicat-ing at its other end with a mouth pi ce 54;. The inner wall of said channel 53 is provided with openings 55, positioned to register with the reed openings in the instrument. One of said openings is controlled by a valve 56, operated by a handle 57. The op eration is similar to that of the structure illustrated in Figure 7.

In the construction illustrated in Figure 9. a casing is provided for the reception of t 1e harmonica. Attached to the front of said casing is a mouth piece 61 provided with a partition 62, dividing it into two chambers. Openings 63 and 61 are provided on either side of the partition. The inner wall of one chamber is provided with a plurality of openings 65 and the corresponding wall of the other chamber is provided with openings 66.

In operation the tongue of the player normally covers the openings 63 and is used as a valve, the opening 61 being left open so that the single passage 66 carries the melody, the openings 65 furnishing the accompaniment.

The advantages of the invention will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art to which it belongs. It will be particularly noted that no very high skill. involving the manipulation of the tongue and lips, is required, but that all of the effects heretofore obtained in the usual method of playing the harmonica are secured by means of the slide valve. which covers all of the openings except those which are to be utilized in playng the tune. It will be particularly noted hat the harmonica can be moved back and forth ust as readily as in the normal method of playing, and the player has full control of the selection. of his notes, and whether or not he wishes full chords or just single notes. Double sided harmonicas are usually arranged in different keys or scales and by means of the device illustrated in Figure 7 it is possible to obtain an immediate change.

It is to be understood that although a harmonica has been shown and described for purposes of illustration, the invention is not limited thereto, but is applicable to any instrument in which reeds or pipes are sounded by air forced into a series of openings controlling the sound-producing devices.

Having thus explained the nature of the invention and described an operative manner of constructing and using the same, although without attempting to set forth all of the forms in which it may be made, or all of the forms of its use, what is claimed is 1. A harmonica attachment of the character described comprising a member with which a harmonica may be slidably engaged and having means covering the harmonica openings, a portion of the opening-covering means of said member being cut away in a manner to normally uncover a predetermined number of said openings, a mouth piece in communication with said cut away portion, and means cooperating with the aforementioned cut-away portion for varying the effective size of said cut away portion.

2. A harmonica attachment of the character described comprising a casing having means with which a harmonica may be slidably engaged, and provided with a wall normally coveringthe harmonica openings, a portion of said wall being cut away to an extent to normally uncover a predetermined number of said openings, a mouth piece in communication With the cut away portion of said wall, and a slidably mounted member operable within said mouth piece for varying the effective size of said cut away portion.

3. A harmonica attachment of the character described comprising a member having means for slidably covering the harmonica openings, a portion of said opening-covering means being cut away in a manner to normally uncover a predetermined number of said openings, a chamber extending from said slidable member and communicating with said cut away portions, said chamber having an inlet opening, and means operable within said chamber for varying the effective area of said cut away portions.

4. A harmonica attachment of the character described comprising a member having means for slidably covering the harmonica openings, a portion of said openingcovering means being cut away in a manner to normally uncover a predetermined plural number of said openings, a chamber communicating with said cut away portions, said chamber having an inlet opening, a valve operable within said chamber so as to vary the effective area of said cut away portion,

and external operating means for said valve.

5. A harmonica attachment of the char acter described comprising a member having means for slidably covering the harmonica openings, a portion of said opening-covering means being cut away in a manner to normally uncover a predetermined number of said openings, a mouth piece in communication with said cut away portion, means operable within the mouth piece for varying the etfective size of said cut away portion, and means for limiting the sliding movement of the harmonica in one direction.

6. A harmonica attachment of the character described comprising a member having means for slidably covering the harmonica openings, a portion of said opening-covering means being cut away in a manner to normally uncover a predetermined number of openings, a chamber communicating with said cut away portion, said chamber having an inlet opening, a slide valve operable within said chamber and having an opening corresponding in area to said cut away portion, and means for normally holding said valve in a posit-ion to partially close said cut away portions.

7. A harmonica attachment of the character described comprising a member having means for slidably covering the harmonica openings, a portion of said openingcovering means being cut away in a manner to normally uncover a predetermined number of openings, a chamber communicating with said cut away portion, said chamber having an inlet opening, a. slide valve operable within said chamber and having an opening corresponding in area to said cut away portions, means for normally holding said valve in a position to partially close said cut 1 {1.

away portions, means for guiding said valve, a handle for moving the valve, and a spring for normally maintaining the valve in a position to partially close said cut away portions.

8. A harmonica attachment of the character described comprising a casing in which a harmonica may be slidably mounted, said casing having an air passage arranged on one side in a position to coincide with the harmonica openings, said conduit having egress openings of an area to normally uncover a predetermined number of said harmonica openings, and means for selectively controlling the number of said conduit openings which are uncovered at any given time.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

HENRY H. MORETON.

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